There's one thing I can never understand, and it's the perceived dichotomy between the "all-loving God" and the "vengeful God". Apparently God is to be feared, because he is all-powerful and could exact all sorts of damages upon us and our souls if he so chose to. But on the other hand he loves us with a more pure and generous love than anything else can offer. It doesn't sound like a very nice relationship to enter into willingly.